depicted against a gold ground, in frontal position with elongated bodies and relatively small heads, each making a blessing gesture and holding a jewelled closed Book of Gospels, robed in precious bishop's garments with striking geometric ornament of crosses set within squares and circles of a type worn during the Byzantine period, signed on the green ground of the base 'by the hand of Klontzas, who wrote this, and may its recipient remember me with consideration'

Nikolenko Gallery Paris,1975, cat. n.12

Sotheby's London, 6 December 1989, lot 563

A vertical crack running through the panel from top to bottom, the gilded ground partially regilded, the left face in excellent condition, the face in the centre with some retouching, especially to the nose, forehead and hair, the face of the third hierarch on the right with substantial retouching, except for the beard, some more minor retouching to the garments, a slightly larger patch of retouching in the area to the right of the Gospels of the central figure, some chips along the edges of the icon, restoration work to the back of the icon along the split and to the front of the icon along the split.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

George, son of Andrew Klontzas, came from a family of painters, and ranks amongst the great masters of late 16^thcentury Cretan painting. After working in Candia (in Crete) between 1564 and 1576, he spent some time in Venice, where he became influenced by the contemporary achievements of mannerist Venetian art. It is known from archives that Klontzas has a large workshop in Candia, where in all likelihood two of his sons  - also icon painters - worked. 

In the offered icon of the three pillars of Orthodoxy, Klontzas follows a conservative style; the paintwork catches the𒅌 eye through its refined miniature technique and radiant colouring, its sensitive modelling and balanced monumental composition.

The feast day jointly commemorating the three Church Fathers was instituted during the 12^th ღcentury, in recognition of the fact that their theology and their contribution to the liturgy and monastic institution of the Church constitute the foundation of Orthodoxy.

The same signature formula appears in an icon of Saint Titos, in the Biblioteca Apostolica, The Vatican; in a triptych in the monastery of Saint Johnin Patmos; and in a manu🌞script, Marc.gr🌱.VII, 22 in the Marciana in Venice.

We are grateful to Dr. Angeliki Lymberopoulou for providing extra cataloguing information.